_Alith._ Ay, pray, sir, do, pray satisfy him. _Horn._ Then truly, you did bring that lady to me just now. _Pinch._ O ho! _Alith._ How, sir? _Har._ How, Horner? _Alith._ What mean you, sir? I always took you for a man of honour. _Horn._ Ay, so much a man of honour, that I must save my mistress, I thank you, come what will on't. [_Aside._ _Spark._ So, if I had had her, she'd have made me believe the moon had been made of a Christmas pie. _Lucy._ Now could I speak, if I durst, and solve the riddle, who am the author of it. [_Aside._ _Alith._ O unfortunate woman! A combination against my honour! which most concerns me now, because you share in my disgrace, sir, and it is your censure, which I must now suffer, that troubles me, not theirs. _Har._ Madam, then have no trouble, you shall now see 'tis possible for me to love too, without being jealous; I will not only believe your innocence myself, but make all the world believe it.--[_Aside to_ HORNER.] Horner, I must now be concerned for this lady's honour. _Horn._ And I must be concerned for a lady's honour too. _Har._ This lady has her honour, and I will protect it. _Horn._ My lady has not her honour, but has given it me to keep, and I will preserve it. _Har._ I understand you not. _Horn._ I would not have you. _Mrs. Pinch._ What's the matter with 'em all? [_Peeping in behind._ _Pinch._ Come, come, Mr. Horner, no more disputing; here's the parson, I brought him not in vain. _Har._ No, sir, I'll employ him, if this lady please. _Pinch._ How! what d'ye mean? _Spark._ Ay, what does he mean? _Horn._ Why, I have resigned your sister to him, he has my consent. _Pinch._ But he has not mine, sir; a woman's injured honour, no more than a man's, can be repaired or satisfied by any but him that first wronged it; and you shall marry her presently, or--[_Lays his hand on his sword._ _Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE. _Mrs. Pinch._ O Lord, they'll kill poor Mr. Horner! besides, he shan't marry her whilst I stand by, and look on; I'll not lose my second husband so. _Pinch._ What do I see? _Alith._ My sister in my clothes! _Spark._ Ha! _Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, pray now don't quarrel about finding work for the parson, he shall marry me to Mr. Horner; or now, I believe, you have enough of me. [_To_ PINCHWIFE. _Horn._ Damned, damned loving changeling! [_Aside._ _Mrs. Pinch._ Pray, sister, pardon me for telling so many lies of you. _Horn._ I suppose the riddle is plain now. _Lucy._ No, that must be my work.--Good sir, hear me. [_Kneels to_ PINCHWIFE, _who stands doggedly with his hat over his eyes._ _Pinch._ I will never hear woman again, but make 'em all silent thus--[_Offers to draw upon his_ Wife. _Horn._ No, that must not be. _Pinch._ You then shall go first, 'tis all one to me. [_Offers to draw on_ HORNER, _but is stopped by_ HARCOURT. _Har._ Hold! _Re-enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET, Lady FIDGET, Lady SQUEAMISH, Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET, _and_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.